COLUMBUS, Ohio — Point guard Aaron Craft is defense first. The Ohio State junior has developed his reputation by annoying opposing point guards.

Center Amir Williams is defense first. The sophomore replaces Jared Sullinger in the starting lineup and is a shot blocker who will allow the Buckeyes to lock down a little tighter on the perimeter, knowing there's a safety net behind them.

Lenzelle Smith first earned his starting role last season based on defense, before developing his offensive game, and coach Thad Matta was lauding backup point guard Shannon Scott during the preseason for making eight steals in a pickup game. Defense first.

Then Deshaun Thomas is -- well, he is rounding out his game, but the preseason All-American will always be a scorer above all else.

Yet as Ohio State starts its 2012-13 season today, coming off a Final Four berth and five Big Ten titles in the past seven years, maybe defense isn't the first thing the Buckeyes are worried about. Yes, they slacked off in transition and defending the interior in their only exhibition game against Walsh last week. But in replacing the 32 points per game lost with the departures of Sullinger and William Buford, the Buckeyes have to make sure they can score.

And that's why sophomore Sam Thompson has to make sure he can do more than just defend and dunk.

While averaging 10.6 minutes and 2.1 points per game last season, Thompson earned his time with aggressive defense and his reputation with some wild slam dunks. He might earn a starting role this year, battling fellow sophomore LaQuinton Ross, due to his jump shot.

"The jump shot was a big weakness, and I sort of rediscovered my offensive game this off-season," Thompson said. "I think I did a good job playing a role last year. I think I defended well, and, obviously, the athleticism is there. So I think adding that to my offensive game will definitely help me as a player and help this team in the long run."

Two years ago, Craft was the last offensive option on the court and just needed to hit a few wide-open jumpers when absolutely ignored. Last year, especially in the first half of the season, it was Smith who saw double-teams on Sullinger, leaving him alone. An offense sometimes is only as good as its weakest link, and when Thompson is on the floor this year, he just wants to make sure he can make teams pay for not respecting him.

"I don't expect defenses to play me early on in the season, but I think, when they don't play me, I'll knock down those shots," Thompson said.

If he doesn't, Ross might.

Ross played minor minutes in just nine games last season after he missed the nonconference portion due to academic issues and then never caught on to the nuances of the college game -- especially on defense -- enough to play.

He's ready now. Ross started the Buckeyes' exhibition against Walsh, but Thompson started the second half. Matta hasn't committed to whom he will start in tonight's opener against Marquette. Both will participate. They are very different players who can help the Buckeyes in different ways. And who plays more when it matters might come down to their weaknesses -- if Thompson can be enough of an offensive threat, or if Ross can avoid being a complete liability on defense.

"I think Sam's skill set, offensively, was probably one of the things that we talked about honing in on, in terms of shooting the basketball and handling the basketball and playing multiple positions," Matta said. "You see this all the time when a light goes on in a young man's head, and I feel like it definitely went on for Sam and he took his off-season very serious, which has made him a much better basketball player, and that is great for our team."

The Buckeyes are fired up about the idea of playing fast and beating teams down the court, but that won't happen every possession. At times, they obviously struggled in their half-court offense during their exhibition. So while turning defense into offense is a great game plan, sometimes, offense has to be there on its own.

Thomas will do that, though he will have to do it with the opponent's best interior defender on him and not on Sullinger. Smith can do it, though despite a breakout NCAA Tournament, he averaged just 6.8 points per game last season. Ross can do it, if he can do enough in the other parts of the game to stay on the court.

But replacing those 32 points per game has to come from everyone. So Thompson has to do it, too.

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